Sidelines

+ ODA girls close out season with a win
The Out-of-Door Academy girls tennis team closed out the regular season with a 7-0 victory against rival Cardinal Mooney March 26.

Maria Ross (No. 1), Mary Ann Rompf (No. 2), Sydney Sforzo (No. 3), Megan Jones (No. 4) and Charlotte Dixon (No. 5) all earned singles victories for the Lady Thunder. Ross and Rompf then teamed up for a victory at No. 1 doubles, while Savannah Jones and Morgan Woods were victorious at No. 2 doubles.

With the win, ODA improved to 10-4 for the season. The Lady Thunder returned to the court March 31 and April 1, in the Class 1A-District 9 tournament.

+ Solid sixth inning propels ODA
Jake Romine threw three innings of no-hit relief to lead The Out-of-Door Academy baseball team to a 6-0 victory against Fort Myers Canterbury School March 28.

ODA scored all six of its runs in the sixth inning. Najee Rhodes and Carson Jungers each had a pair of RBIs. Desmond Lindsay had two doubles and scored a run.

+ Miss Manatee to hold competition
Miss Manatee Softball will hold a Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit and Run Competition from 9 a.m. to noon April 5, at the Miss Manatee Softball Complex, 5500 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.

The competition is free and open to all youth girls. All participants must bring a copy of their birth certificate and fill out a registration form prior to the start of competition.

Girls will be divided into four age divisions — 7/8, 9/10, 11/12 and 13/14 — and have the chance to advance through four levels of competition, including team championships at major league ballparks and the national finals at the 2014 MLB All-Star Game.

Awards will go to the individual pitching, hitting and running champions, along with the all-around champion in each age group at the local competition. Those players will also advance to the sectional level of competition.

For more information and to pre-register, visit mob.com/phr, or contact Scott Estling at [email protected].

+ LWRBA golf tourney upcoming
The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance will hold its sixth annual golf tournament April 25, at Waterlefe Golf & River Club, 1022 Fish Hook Cove, Bradenton.

Registration for The Ranch Scramble will begin at 11 a.m., followed by a shotgun start at 1 p.m. Cost for the four-person scramble is $175 per golfer and will include a buffet lunch and dinner, one round of golf and cart. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance.

For more information and to register, visit lwrba.org or call 757-1664.

Sponsorship opportunities also are available.

+ Palm-Aire Ladies Golf Association
The Palm-Aire Ladies Golf Association held its two-day Spring Fling golf tournament March 18 and March 20. The event featured a Gatsby on the Greens theme.

One hundred and eight women donned 1920s golf outfits and fancy attire with a vintage 1915 Saxon serving as the backdrop for photos. A dancing exhibition by Dynasty Dance Club of Sarasota highlighted the tournament.

GAME TO WATCH
Softball
April 3
Lakewood Ranch vs. Sarasota
(7 p.m.)

STANDOUT PLAYER
Austin Hoppe
Baseball
The Out-of-Door Academy

11 - The number of wins Hoppe has helped lead the Thunder to so far this season.

3 - The number of runs Hoppe drove in against Braden River.

7 - The number of strikeouts Hoppe had in five innings to lead The Out-of-Door Academy baseball team to a 12-2 victory against Braden River March 26.